dispensaries

The Ashland City Council is following the lead of other Oregon cities, and considering a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries. The town faces six dispensary applications and mounting neighborhood opposition.

The Mail Tribune reports the council will discuss a temporary moratorium tomorrow night, in a meeting open to the public.

People hoping to launch dispensaries in Oregon began submitting applications to the state on March 3 as part of a new medical marijuana regulatory system. Two applicants have received business licenses in Ashland so far.

On Monday, the Oregon Health Authority started accepting license applications for the first state-sanctioned medical marijuana dispensaries. The law’s supporters hope to assure patients safe access to their medicine. But as a rapidly expanding list of states allows medical marijuana – and with Washington and Colorado legalizing recreational use of pot – a growing cohort of entrepreneurs hears opportunity knocking.

Officials at the Oregon Health Authority will have to decide soon whether medical marijuana cardholders should be allowed to use the drug at dispensaries that will become legal next year under a new state law.

An advisory committee discussed that topic and others at its final meeting yesterday. The state expects to finalize dispensary regulations by next month. They'll take effect in March.